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Dvl2-dependent activation of Daam1 and RhoA regulates Wnt5a-induced breast cancer cell migration

Yichao Zhu1, Yinhui Tian, Jun Du

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Plos One
|June 2, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Wnt5a signaling promotes breast cancer cell migration through the Dishevelled (Dvl2)/Dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (Daam1)/RhoA pathway. This pathway

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The Wnt5a pathway, involving Dishevelled (Dvl) and Dishevelled-associated activator of morphogenesis 1 (Daam1), regulates cellular polarity.
  • Wnt5a signaling's role in breast cancer progression is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Wnt5a signaling in breast cancer cell migration.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized dominant-negative mutants and siRNA for Dvl2, Daam1, and RhoA.
  • Assessed Wnt5a activation of downstream components and cell migration.
  • Investigated the inhibitory effects of Secreted Frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2).

Main Results:

  • Wnt5a activated Dvl2, Daam1, and RhoA, promoting breast cancer cell migration.
  • Inhibition of Dvl2, Daam1, or RhoA significantly reduced Wnt5a-induced migration and stress fiber formation.
  • sFRP2 pretreatment abolished Wnt5a-induced cell migration.

Conclusions:

  • Wnt5a promotes breast cancer cell migration via the Dvl2/Daam1/RhoA pathway.
  • This pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.

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